Exercise method and chair-bicycle assembly for elderly and handicapped

ABSTRACT

An exercise method using a chair-bicycle assembly allows people in wheelchairs to exercise in order to maintain and improve their health status. This method especially benefits elderly and handicapped people who are bound to a wheelchair. A wheelchair is coupled to a bicycle type assembly and the resulting assembly is rigidified using wheelchair brakes and blocking means. The wheelchair cushion can be adjusted to allow user to comfortably reach bicycle pedals during complete rotations. The chair-bicycle assembly is comprised of a wheelchair ( 1 ) that is positioned and blocked in front of a bicycle type assembly using wheelchair brakes ( 40 ). The wheelchair ( 1 ) is rigidly connected to bicycle type assembly with blockage means ( 4, 14,15 ). The wheelchair ( 1 ) includes a wheelchair seat ( 8 ) with a cushion ( 7 ) that can be adjusted and then blocked into position. The bicycle type assembly includes a main frame with two bars ( 10 ), support elements ( 5, 11, 13 ), a pedal mechanism and means ( 17, 18, 19, 20 ) for providing power drive to a bicycle wheel ( 16 ), and an indicative device ( 35 ) to monitor user&#39;s exerted effort and virtual distance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The invention relates to a new method and chair-bicycle assembly to be used for exercise aimed at maintaining and improving the health status of elderly and handicapped people in wheelchairs.

[0005] Elderly and handicapped people commonly use manual, mechanic, and electrical wheelchairs. Presently these wheelchairs are only used for sitting and transportation without having any means of medical rehabilitation for maintaining and improving a user's health condition through physical exercise.

[0006] There are also known the ergonomic bicycles often used for medical exercises. These ergonomic bicycles are stationary exercise bicycles that we will refer to as bicycles. These bicycles have a braking system and a device indicating the effort made during exercise and are used as follows: a person sits on a bicycle saddle holding on to a handle bar and exercises his/her legs using two pedals.

[0007] The bicycles are currently used by people who can move without assisting devices and who can sit on a bicycle saddle. The disadvantage of these bicycles is that those who cannot sit on a bicycle saddle, such as the majority of elderly and handicapped people, are unable to use these bicycles since this position would be uncomfortable. Overweight and lack of balance are common conditions of elderly and handicapped people, which prevent them from using this type of bicycle.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The exercise method and chair-bicycle assembly allows elderly and certain handicapped people who are bound to a wheelchair to exercise their legs in order to maintain or improve their health condition, as well as to recover from certain handicap conditions. The exercise method uses an assembly that with some modifications combines a wheelchair with a bicycle type assembly. The assembly of the two elements provides new technical results allowing people who use wheelchairs and who cannot sit on a bicycle saddle or are not able to leave their wheelchairs, to exercise their legs.

[0009] The chair-bicycle assembly is comprised of a wheelchair equipped with a shifting device that allows the wheelchair seat to be adjusted back and forth according to each user's needs. The shifting device allows the wheelchair with a cushion to be blocked in a pre-determined position, according to the distance to bicycle pedals. A groove on each posterior support leg of the bicycle assures the fit of the front wheels of the wheelchair on these legs and two coupling arms connect the lateral inferior bars of the wheelchair with the posterior support legs of the bicycle. These elements together with the braking system of the wheelchair assure a rigid connection between wheelchair and bicycle type assembly.

[0010] In order to adjust the handle bar of the bicycle type assembly according to each user's needs, a small telescopic device is placed on the intermediary bar of the bicycle type assembly. This telescopic device allows the user to obtain an optimal position through height and tilt adjustment of the handle bar.

[0011] A braking device acting on the wheel of bicycle type assembly includes a plastic fabric tape which partially covers the bicycle wheel. This tape is connected with a cable through a spring. The cable is attached to a braking adjustment handle that the user can control to increase or decrease the effort applied to the pedals of bicycle type assembly. An indicative device is installed in connection with the bicycle type assembly wheel and the plastic fabric tape, allowing the indication of the effort exerted on the pedals and respectively, on the bicycle type assembly wheel.

[0012] Both posterior support legs of the bicycle type assembly are provided with adjustable knobs allowing lateral telescopic shifting. The posterior support legs have grooves for blockage of the anterior wheels of the wheelchair. The same legs also have couplings to connect the wheelchair to the bicycle type assembly through two arms.

[0013] The advantage of the exercise method and chair-bicycle assembly is that it allows elderly and some handicapped people who use a wheelchair to maintain and improve their health condition by exercising. Also, this method and assembly allows a person using the equipment to control and set optimal conditions for exercise, in particular the exercise position and the effort to be made.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 shows a general view of the exercise method and chair-bicycle assembly.

[0015]FIG. 2 shows a detail of an anterior wheelchair wheel rigidly connected to support leg of bicycle type assembly.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

[0016] 1. Wheelchair

[0017] 2. Lateral Inferior Bar

[0018] 3. Anterior Wheel

[0019] 4. Arm

[0020] 5. Posterior Support Bar

[0021] 6. Chair Platform Cushion

[0022] 7. Cushion

[0023] 8. Wheelchair Seat

[0024] 9. Shifting Device

[0025] 10. Main Frame with Two Bars

[0026] 11. Anterior Support Bar

[0027] 12. Adjustable Knob

[0028] 13. Support Leg

[0029] 14. Coupling to Lock Arm (4)

[0030] 15. Groove for Anterior Wheels (3)

[0031] 16. Bicycle Wheel

[0032] 17. Teeth Wheel

[0033] 18. Chain

[0034] 19. Pedal

[0035] 20. Small Teeth Wheel

[0036] 21. Protection Cap

[0037] 22. Handle Bar

[0038] 23. Bicycle Handle

[0039] 24. Intermediary Bar

[0040] 25. Body of Blocking Device

[0041] 26. Blocking Handle

[0042] 27. Plastic Fabric Tape

[0043] 28. Tape End Catch Device

[0044] 29. Spring

[0045] 30. Support

[0046] 31. Slot

[0047] 32. Cable

[0048] 33. Cable End Catch Device

[0049] 34. Breaking Adjustment Handle

[0050] 35. Indicative Device

[0051] 36. Cable

[0052] 37. Transport Handle

[0053] 38. Bracket

[0054] 39. Bracket Handle

[0055] 40. Wheelchair Brake

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0056] According to the exercise method and chair-bicycle assembly a wheelchair is rigidly connected to a bicycle type assembly as shown in FIG. 1, making sure that the wheelchair and the bicycle type assembly are adjusted according to the user's needs. An user can adjust the position of the bicycle type assembly so that his/her feet can comfortably be placed on the pedals acting on the bicycle type assembly wheel. The user can also adjust the wheelchair seat to assure a comfortable position.

[0057] When user presses feet on the pedals, the bicycle type assembly chain transmits its movement to the bicycle type assembly wheel that rotates. During this time, the user is able to set the level of effort according to his/her capabilities and is able to modify this level at any time during the exercise to accommodate fatigue. The user can permanently monitor the level of effort on an indicative device installed on the bicycle type assembly.

[0058] The chair-bicycle assembly is comprised of a first assembly, a wheelchair 1. This wheelchair 1 has two lateral inferior bars 2 that support the anterior wheels 3 of wheelchair 1. Each lateral inferior bar 2 is provided with an arm 4 that can be rigidly connected to posterior support legs 13 of the bicycle type assembly by a coupling 14.

[0059] The user can shift back and forth a cushion 7 and a chair platform 6 of a wheelchair seat 8 by means of a shifting device 9 provided either with a sliding rail and fixing bolt or with a teeth sector and teeth wheels, and with a blockage component. In this way the user can adjust his/her position in front of the bicycle type assembly.

[0060] The second assembly, a bicycle type assembly, is composed of a main frame with two bars 10 resting on two support bars - an anterior support bar 11 and a posterior support bar 5.

[0061] Both anterior support bar 11 and posterior support bar 5 are telescopic, have an adjustable knob 12, and are provided with support legs 13 at their ends. Each posterior support leg 13 is provided laterally with coupling 14 to lock arms 4 of wheelchair 1 and with a groove 15 to lock anterior wheels 3 of wheelchair 1 as shown in FIG. 2. The main frame with two bars 10 supports a gear assembly for the rotation of a bicycle type assembly wheel 16. This gear assembly includes a teeth wheel 17, a chain 18, two pedals 19, and a small teeth wheel 20 assembled on the axle of bicycle type assembly wheel 16. Pressing on pedals 19 causes rotation of teeth wheel 17 and engagement of chain 18 that together with rotation of small teeth wheel 20 also rotates bicycle type assembly wheel 16.

[0062] The gear assembly including teeth wheel 17, chain 18, and small teeth wheel 20 is protected with a protection cap 21. In order to provide the user with some means of support during exercise, the bicycle type assembly is provided with a handle bar 22 which at both ends has a handle 23. The handle bar 22 is solidly joint with an intermediary bar 24 which is mounted on main frame 10. A body of a blocking device 25 is assembled on an intermediary bar 24, allowing the user to adjust height of handle bar 22 or its tilt towards or away the user's body, according to the user's physical characteristics. Intermediary bar 24 is blocked in the desired position using a blocking handle 26.

[0063] In order to set the desired level of effort to be made during the exercise, the bicycle type assembly is provided with a braking assembly made of a plastic fabric tape or other similar material 27 which partially covers wheel 16. A tape end catch device 28 attaches one end of plastic fabric tape 27 to main frame 10.

[0064] The plastic fabric tape 27 partially covers wheel 16 while other end of plastic fabric tape is connected to a spring 29 that maintains the pressure of plastic fabric tape 27 on circumference of wheel 16. A support 30 provided with a slot 31 bears the end of spring 29. A cable 32 connects spring 29 with a cable end catch device 33 which can be adjusted by a braking adjustment handle 34 installed on handle bar 22. An user can control the braking adjustment handle 34 to increase or decrease the pressure applied by plastic fabric tape 27 on bicycle wheel 16. In this way the effort applied on pedals 19 can be varied.

[0065] The effort made during exercise can be evaluated by an indicative device 35 installed on support 30. Indicative device 35 is actuated by a cable 36 that takes over the intensity of the rotation momentum as a result of the pressure applied by plastic fabric tape 27 on bicycle wheel 16. Indicative device 35 indicates effort and virtual distance during exercise.

[0066] The bicycle type assembly is also equipped with a transport handle 37 whose height can be adjusted by tightening or loosing a bracket 38 with a bracket handle 39.

[0067] The chair-bicycle assembly for elderly and handicapped people is used as follows:

[0068] During the entire time of the exercise, the user remains sat in wheelchair 1 that must be positioned in front of the bicycle type assembly as previously described. Anterior wheels 3 of wheelchair would be placed in grooves 15 of posterior support legs 13 of bicycle type assembly. The bicycle type assembly is then blocked and rigidly connected in this position using wheelchair brakes 40 and locking arms 4 in coupling 14 of each posterior support leg 13.

[0069] For a proper use of chair-bicycle assembly, the user can adjust cushion 7 of chair 8 using shifting device 9 such as to comfortably reach pedals 19 during their complete rotation.

[0070] During entire time of exercise, the user would hold his/her hands on handles 23 of handle bar 22. In order to attain an optimal position, intermediary bar 24 and device 25 allow the user to adjust handle bar 22 by either lifting/lowering handle bar 22 or moving it closer/farther to chair 8. Device 26 will block handle bar 22 in desired position.

[0071] After the person starts pedaling, the effort exerted can be varied (increased/decreased) according to user's desire, using braking adjustment handle 34 which controls the pressure applied by plastic fabric tape 27 on the circumference of bicycle type assembly wheel 16. The exercise with a variable effort will last for a pre-determined length of time during which the effort can be monitored on indicative device 35. 

We claim:
 1. A method of exercising by pedaling while sitting in a wheelchair, comprising the steps of: a. positioning a wheelchair in front of a bicycle type assembly, b. using brakes of said wheelchair and a blocking device to provide rigid connection of said wheelchair to said bicycle type assembly, c. sitting in said wheelchair and adjusting the position of a cushion of said wheelchair such as to allow feet to comfortably reach pedals of said bicycle type assembly during complete rotations of said pedals, d. adjusting height and tilt of a handle bar of said bicycle type assembly to obtain a comfortable position, e. blocking said height and tilt adjustment at comfortable position, f. using a braking adjustment handle at beginning of exercise to adjust exerted effort according to user's abilities or attendant's instructions, g. pedaling as exercise, whereby said method will allow elderly and handicapped people who are bound to said wheelchair to exercise and therefore, maintain and improve their health condition.
 2. A chair-bicycle assembly for medical exercise involving pedaling and intended especially for elderly and handicapped people, comprising: a. a first assembly, respectively a wheelchair (1) including a wheelchair seat (8) with a cushion (7) which could be adjusted and blocked in position, b. a second assembly, respectively a bicycle type assembly including a main frame (10), support components (5, 11, 13), a pedal mechanism and means (17, 18, 19, 20) for providing power drive to a bicycle wheel (16), a braking system (27, 34), adjustable handle bar (22) with handles (23) which is supported by an intermediary bar (24) solidly joint to said bicycle frame (10), indicative device (35) indicating user's exerted effort and virtual distance, and components (37, 38) for transport of said bicycle type assembly, c. means to block said first assembly facing said second assembly (4, 14, 15, and 40).
 3. The chair-bicycle assembly of claim 2 wherein said wheelchair (1) is positioned and blocked in front of said bicycle type assembly by wheelchair breaks (40).
 4. The chair-bicycle assembly of claim 3 wherein said wheelchair (1) is blocked to said bicycle type assembly through introduction of anterior wheels (3) in grooves (15) provided on posterior support legs (13) of said bicycle type assembly.
 5. The chair-bicycle assembly of claim 3 wherein said wheelchair (1) is blocked to said bicycle type assembly through placement of arms (4) of said wheelchair in coupling (14) on posterior support legs (13) and locked in that position.
 6. The chair-bicycle assembly in claim 3 wherein bicycle type assembly has a posterior support bar (5) that is telescopic at both ends to assure proper position of said arms (4) in said coupling (14) and position of said anterior wheels (3) in said groove (15).
 7. The bicycle type assembly in claim 2 wherein said handle bar (22) is provided with said intermediary bar (24) which can be tilted, shifted vertically, and locked in desired position by means of a blocking device (25) and a blocking handle (26).
 8. The bicycle type assembly in claim 2 wherein said braking system acting on said bicycle wheel (16) is comprised of a plastic fabric tape (27) or similar material which partially covers circumference of said bicycle wheel (16) and a braking adjustment handle (34) installed on said handle bar (22).
 9. The braking system in claim 8 wherein said plastic fabric tape (27) is attached at one end by a tape end catch device (28) to said main frame (10) and at the other end is attached to a spring (29) which assures that the pressure of said plastic fabric tape (27) is maintained on circumference of said bicycle wheel (16).
 10. The breaking system in claim 9 wherein said spring (29) is attached at one side to end of said plastic fabric tape (27) and at other end is attached to a cable (32) after passing through a slot (31) of support (30).
 11. The braking system in claim 10 wherein said cable (32) extends to said bicycle handle (22) where it is joint with a cable end catch device (33) installed on said handle (22).
 12. The braking system in claim 10 wherein user can adjust tension of said cable (32) using said braking adjustment handle (34).
 13. The bicycle type assembly in claim 2 wherein said indicative device (35) uses a cable (36) and is installed on a support (30) in order to monitor user's effort and virtual distance during pedaling. 